Escaping the Devil's Bedroom

by Dawn Herzog Jewell

Dawn Jewell weaves the stories of individual victims with the grim realities that propelled them into prostitution in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Alongside she highlights ministries that are reaching one life at a time through prayerful visits to strip clubs, bars and seedy streets. Readers will glimpse the Gospel's transforming power in individuals who have left prostitution and found new life in Christ. This piece of front-line research considers how women and children are forced or ensnared; the nature of the sex trade; options for escape; helping the wounded; finding viable economic alternatives; how redeemed prostitutes are working to rescue those still trapped; prevention and the role of governments.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2008

Reviews

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how every book I read on Human Trafficking is filled with new things for me to learn, and I've read dozens of them! This one gives you a perspective of girls who have been in and out of prostitution and now run their own safe houses and organizations to help girls/women out of prostitution, strippers who have been in the business and are now helping others out of it, men who viewed pornography and would go to prostitutes and how they now run Christian rehabs and help men understand what they are doing on many different levels, people who felt compelled to help others but didn't have much knowledge or didn't know how to relate to the women/girls that they were helping, transvestites and male prostitutes (a perspective I hadn't read about with a personal account) who were able to find God and people who were in the same business they got out of, and the list goes on and on. It was a good book.

[Chere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so difficult for me to read.... finally done! I would recommend it to anyone

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't read the fine print on the cover before I started this book, which stated it was the gospel that helped the women, men and children the church was serving. That alone would have made me probably not reach for this book. Unfortunately, I didn't see it and once I start a book, I feel like I must finish it, no matter what. And that is what I did.
I think the basic premise of the book about reaching out and building relationships and connections is a good way to help facilitate change but it was always followed up by religious things such as prayer and an invitation to the church. This in and of itself may not be the worst thing because according to the book many were open to that and it worked for them.
Having grown up in a religious, cultish environment I can also see in the writings that there are conditions as well that are attached to the relationships and connections though they are unspoken. This became apparent to me when the subject of homosexuality and transgender came up and it was worded that God wouldn't like that and people couldn't be this way to be fully good with God. That really got my goat. There are many churches who welcome people who are gay and transgendered and don't have issues with this but this book and the different agencies and churches were discouraging of it and I didn't like that. It was you couldn't be who you are if you were gay or transgendered because it was a sin and if you were still identifying with those labels you were a sinner still and I don't think that kind of black and white serves anyone. So my knickers were a little twisted reading some parts.
I was biased from the beginning of this book but I did like how they grew relationships with 'working people' and helped support them to better their lives and to overcome obstacles that came up. Many people who were once on the streets have made significant changes and are now helping others through their own stories.

[Fred Dameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this book I got worried with all the Christian God talk in it, but was pleasantly surprised when the stories told were from people who are heavily invested in getting prostitutes off the street and into shelters, work study, COUNSELING, etc. Many of the stories are old hat but one new take was from a working girl who went to church with a "Buddy", from a rescue group. The girl left when she saw several of her regular clients in the pews with their wives and kids. Points out one of the real problems with the sex trade and sex slavery, the clients go to church with you. DO they want their little liaisons discovered? Do these men want to lose the ability to get some on the side? Will they back, fully back laws that make the john just as guilty as the prostitute? We all know the answer is NO. No they won't. SO I applaud organizations that continue the fight and the best part of this book is in the back where their is a list. Very useful a list of places to send your support, ask for advice on start ups in your area, schedule mission trips with etc. If you have a basic understanding about the problem of trafficking and modern slavery with the exception of the organizational list, there is nothing new for you in this book. Maybe some of the stories have a variation on a theme, but not much is new. If you have just gotten the fire about saving these women, girls, boys and men, this book is a good start.

[Michelle Vandepol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for the person with a burden on their heart for trafficked, exploited, and hurting people. Not sure how to help such an entrenched & overwhelming problem? This is a practical guide informed by on the ground research with North American and international examples. It both addresses ineffective strategies and faulty mindsets and provides sustainable alternatives and new ways of thinking. If you want to be better equipped with inclusive human rights language, philosophy, and strategy or just simply learn more about the issues around exploitation; this book will serve you well. Also helpful: end of chapter takeaways that break down the "us" and "them" barriers.

[Luc Dantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to give this book 5 stars in that the news that it holds is so horrific and yet at the same time it is so inspiring. It has been many years since I've read this book, yet it still inspires me today.

[Barb Hegreberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended an anti-human trafficking forum that was sponsored by a local church and Refuge for Women – Chicago.  The topic of the night was “survivors, trauma & PTSD.  It was an eye-opening experience to say the least.
Refuge for Women – Chicago and its network of other such homes across the US are working tirelessly to rescue women out of the sex trades and give them a chance at a life separate from the abuses they have been suffering at the hands of their “captors”.
One of the speakers invited us to read Escaping the Devil’s Bedroom – Dawn Herzog Jewell and to join them for “book club” next month.  Wow, this book is brutally honest about what really happens when someone is enslaved by prostitution, pornography, strip clubs etc.  Some of the prose is hard to read because of the ugliness of the “before” but the grace & unconditional love that comes  “after” teaches lessons that we can all use when dealing with anyone in society who is marginalized and thinks they can never be FREE.
For more info on Refuge for Women – Chicago CLICK HERE or check them out on Facebook HERE

https://mylifeinourfathersworld.wordp...

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eye-opening book on some of the reasons behind prostitution and human trafficking. It definitely made me more aware of why some men and women become prostitutes and how hard it is to escape.

I wish the book had been a little more cohesive, though. I could only rate it three stars because it felt like it was written in pieces.

The challenge issued to Christians -

SAMARITAN CALL

I said: "Let me walk in the field;" God said: "Nay, walk in the town;" I said: "There are flowers there;" He said: "No flowers, but a crown."

I said: "But the sky is black, There is nothing but noise and din;" But He wept as He sent me back, "There is more," He said, "there is sin."

I said: "But the air is thick, And fogs are veiling the sun. He answered: "Yet souls are sick, And souls in the dark undone."

I said: "I shall miss the light, And friends will miss me, they say," He answered me, "Choose tonight, If I am to miss you, or they."

I pleaded for time to be given; He said: "Is it hard to decide? It will not seem hard in heaven To have followed the steps of your Guide."

I cast one look at the fields, Then set my face to the town; He said: "My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?"

Then into His hand went mine And into my heart came He; And I walk in a light Divine, The streets I had feared to see.

George MacDonald (1824-1905)

[Terri Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a pleasure read. It's nonfiction for a driven purpose. As someone who has a heart for the victims of human trafficking, this book gave me a great insight into how far-reaching this actually is. It gave me a different perspective on those who are seen as having picked a lie of prostitution for themselves, and to see the hurt of society's "misfits." It is so important that we are loving and accepting if there is to be any hope for these people to see any value in changing their lives. There are sad realities in this book, but also hope.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! There are interviews from victims, hope stories, and so many suggestions for ministries and actions! Great! First it informs about the topic of Human Trafficking and then the author tells you what you can do to change it! It is not for anyone (at least, in my opinion) under the age of 13. It is a great book, though, and the pictures are great for your visualization! It made me want to move to Greece and help with the ministry there!!!!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all Christians- we cannot ignore this horrific reality, but Herzog Jewel convinces that there is hope in the person of Jesus Christ. I read this for Nancy Murphy's Impact of Abuse.

[Sarah-jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic eye-opener. I couldn't put it down but I forced myself to to think about what I had just read. It was absolutely heartbreaking but if you were looking at or are working with prostitutes than it's a great read.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book. The power of the Gospel of Jesus to redeem and heal is amazing. If you have a heart for woem and men caught up in the sex trafficking industry should read this book.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting and heartbreaking. But gives a new perspective on the whole issue of sex trafficking, global prostitution the God's love for these people.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives some good facts about sexual exploitation. By telling stories of real victims around the world it helps shed light on the problem.